Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates policy on the right side.

Check the Enable option to turn on the policy.

In the "Options" section, you'll find a number of options to configure automatic updates, including:

2 - Notify for download and auto install.

3 - Auto download and notify for install.

4 - Auto download and schedule the install.

5 - Allow local admin to choose setting.

Quick tip: The closest option to disable automatic updates is the 2 - Notify for download and auto install option, but you can select the option that best fits your situation.

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

After completing the steps, updates will stop downloading automatically. However, when a new update becomes available, you'll receive a notification to download and install updates manually from the Windows Update settings page.

How to disable automatic updates using Registry

If you're running Windows 10 Pro, you can also disable automatic updates in two different ways using the Registry.

Disabling updates

To permanently disable updates on Windows 10 modifying the Registry, use these steps:

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky, and it can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. It's recommended to make a full backup of your PC before proceeding.

To permanently disable Windows Update using the Registry, use these steps:

Open Start.

Search for regedit and select the top result to launch the experience.

Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

Right-click the Windows (folder) key, select New, and then click on Key.

Name the new key WindowsUpdate and press Enter.

Right-click the newly created key, select New, and click on Key.

Name the new key AU and press Enter.

Right-click on the right side, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Name the new key NoAutoUpdate and press Enter.

Double-click the newly created key and change its value from 0 to 1.

Click the OK button.

Restart your computer.

Once you complete the steps, Windows Update should stop trying to download and install updates automatically on your device.

If you want to update manually, you can perform this task from Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and clicking the Check for updates button.

Limiting updates

In the case that using the Registry to disable updates isn't working as expected, you can also use the Registry to customize the Windows Update settings to prevent updates from installing automatically.

To customize Windows Update settings to block updates with the Registry, use these steps:

Open Start.

Search for regedit and select the top result to launch the experience.

Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

Right-click the Windows (folder) key, select New, and then click on Key.

Name the new key WindowsUpdate and press Enter.

Right-click the newly created key, select New, and click on Key.

Name the new key AU and press Enter.

Right-click on the right side, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Name the new key AUOptions and press Enter.

Double-click the newly created key and change its value (number only) using one of the following options:

2 — Notify for download and auto install.

3 — Auto download and notify for install.

4 — Auto download and schedule the install.

5 — Allow local admin to choose settings.

These options work similar to the Group Policy settings, and number 2 is the closest option to disable Windows Update permanently. However, you can always select the setting the best suits your situation.

Click the OK button.

Restart your computer.

After completing the steps, Windows 10 will stop installing updates automatically. However, you'll receive notifications as soon as new quality updates are available, but they won't download and install until you approve them manually.

You can always use the same instructions to restore the original settings, but on step No. 4, right-click the WindowsUpdate key, and select the Delete option. Then reboot your device to complete applying the settings.